Tag Archives: colonial homes

Over the last 250 years in and around Boston, we have seen the architectural styles of homes evolve. From simple to ornate you can see how these home designs were influenced by our society. Many homes have been renovated several times over. Each renovation undertaking a different architectural style. Home buyer’s especially first time home buyers, should be knowledgeable about the different styles that are available to them. This information will help your Realtor in your home search. Here is a quick guide to help buyers identify the different architectural styles.

CAPE – The cape cod style is a symmetrical box shape with a steep gable roof. Nowadays, capes have second floor dormers to expand the ceiling height to the upstairs rooms. Since this style is on the smaller side many capes have side additions as well.

COLONIAL – A colonial is a large two level home with a symmetrical style. It has four equal size rooms on the first floor. The second floor has four equal size rooms as well. All of the bedrooms are located upstairs. This home usually has one to two chimneys. This is one of the most popular styles today.

SALTBOX – Another interesting and distinctive roof is on a Saltbox. It’s a sharply sloping gable roof. It has two levels and the roof slopes down in the back to the first level.

TUDOR – The Tudor style has exposed framework on the exterior of the home. In between the framework it’s filled with white stucco or brickwork. The roof is sharply pitched with gables opening to the sides of the house. The window panes are in a diamond pattern. The front door is normally an arched wooden door with medieval looking hardware.

RANCH – A ranch style home is a one level of living. It has a basement that is normally the length of the house. Many people finish off this space to gain extra square footage. The width of the home is wider than the depth and it has a simple floor plan.

SPLIT LEVEL ­ A split level or split entry as it’s more commonly known is a two level home with a main entry located between the two levels on a landing. Once you walk through the door there is a small set of stairs leading up to the first level and another small set of stairs leading down to the basement. The first level is where the kitchen, dining and living room are located. Then there is a wing of three bedrooms and one full bathroom. The basement is mostly commonly used as a family room for extra living spaces. Some splits have a second bathroom downstairs and use the space as an inlaw apartment. Needless to say the floor plan possibilities are endless.

VICTORIAN ­ Last but certainly not least is a victorian style which refers to homes built during the era of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837 ­ 1901). This home has an asymmetrical facade, a steeply pitched roof normally with a front facing gable and a porch that’s one story high and either half or full length of the house. Some victorian styles include Queen Anne, stick, shingle, romanesque and second empire.

There certainly are other architectural styles that we can add to this list like french provincial, contemporary and greek revival. Also some homes can have one style for example a cape cod with greek revival facade. So pay attention to the architecture styles when your out house hunting.

About the author: Jenn Scali is a certified buyers agent and her dedication to finding her clients the right home is her top priority. Call Jenn at (617) 905-7211 to schedule a buyer’s consult with her or visit her at www.JennScali.com